SENATE ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 3542

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  MARCH 9, 2023

      The Senate Environment and Energy Committee favorably reports Senate Bill No. 3542, with committee amendments.

      This bill, as amended by the committee, would require the Division of Plant Industry in the Department of Agriculture, under the direction of the Secretary of Agriculture, to establish a program to provide grants to municipalities in the State for spotted lanternfly control.  Under the program, the Division of Plant Industry would:

      (1)  develop guidelines and procedures for the submission of applications by municipalities to receive a program grant;

      (2)  establish criteria for a municipality to qualify for a program grant;

      (3)  establish a system to prioritize the issuance of grants to municipalities, in greatest need, that:  are located in spotted lanternfly quarantine zones as designated by the Department of Agriculture; have incurred damages caused by spotted lanternflies; have demonstrated widespread infestations among buildings located within the municipality; or have native vegetation that is threatened by spotted lanternflies; and

      (4)  designate acceptable uses for the grants, including, but not limited to:  the inspection of buildings located within a municipality for infestations; the use of extermination services; and the engagement in remediation activities.

The bill appropriates $5 million from the General Fund to be used for the grant program established pursuant to the bill. 

      The committee amendments to the bill make a technical correction.